Originally Posted by
gypsyardor
So if I land and the plane was 4 hours late (I read AI is almost always many hours late) and I miss my connecting flight and have to book a new one, is it wrong to assume it would still count as connecting?
Well you've read wrong. While AI doesn't have a stellar on time arrivals track record it isn't at all "almost always many hours late".
Also, is your connection on the same PNR? In which case you will not have to buy a new ticket. The airline will be responsible for rebooking you.
If your question is about the discounted rates that say 6E offers for international connections baggage discounted pricing then as long as your flight was in the last 24 hours it will be treated as a "connection" to get that discounted pricing.